What You Need to Know About the Digital PSAT/NMSQT
Given the approximately 3.5 million students will take the PSAT/NMSQT this year, it’s important for both schools and families to understand what it is and how it’s used. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the digital PSAT/NMSQT.
Table of Contents
What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is part of College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments. Students take this test in October of their junior year. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT is not used for college admissions. Instead this test provides valuable practice for the SAT (and other tests) and helps students gauge their college and career readiness. Additionally, it’s used to qualify students for the National Merit program, which can provide significant financial aid and merit scholarship opportunities for college.
For more information about the other versions of the PSAT, please see our guest post on Scoir’s Blog: The Ins and Outs of the PSAT.
What is the format of the digital PSAT?
[Note: The PSAT/NMSQT is now a digital test, just like the SAT. The format of the digital PSAT is identical to that of the digital SAT]
The digital PSAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long with 98 total questions. There are two sections: (1) Reading and Writing and (2) Math. Each section is divided into two modules of equal length.
The test starts with Module 1 of the Reading and Writing Section. Students have 32 minutes to answer 27 questions. During this time, students can skip ahead or go back to any question within Module 1, but they are not allowed to move onto Module 2 until the 32 minutes are up.
Immediately after finishing Module 1, students move into Reading and Writing Module 2. They have another 32 minutes to answer 27 more questions. Once again, they can move around to any question in Module 2 during the allotted time, but they can’t go back to Module 1 or move ahead to the Math section. After Reading and Writing Module 2 is over, there is a short break.
After the break, students start the Module 1 of the Math section, where they have 35 minutes to answer 22 questions. As in the Reading and Writing Section, students can skip ahead and revisit questions within the current module. Once the 35 minutes have passed, students move onto Math Module 2, where they have 35 more minutes to answer the final 22 questions.
| SECTION | Module | TIME | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading and Writing | Module 1 |
32 minutes |
27 questions |
|
Reading and Writing | Module 2
|
32 minutes |
27 questions
|
|
Break
|
10 minutes |
----
|
|
Math | Module 1
|
35 minutes |
22 questions |
|
Math | Module 2
|
35 minutes |
22 questions |
|
TOTAL
|
2 hours and 14 minutes |
98 questions |
Computer Adaptive Testing
The digital PSAT is a computer adaptive test, just like the digital SAT.
In each section, a student’s performance on Module 1 determines whether they get an easier or harder Module 2. Module 1 is a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions with a medium average question difficulty.
If a student answers a lot of questions correctly on Module 1, Module 2 will have a greater number of hard questions. The average question difficulty will be higher in Module 2 than in Module 1.
Conversely, a student who answers fewer questions correctly on Module 1, will see fewer hard questions and more easy questions in Module 2. The average question difficulty will be lower in Module 2 than in Module 1.
If you’re wondering how this affects scoring, you’re not alone! Jump to How does scoring work on the digital PSAT?
How do students take the digital PSAT?
The digital PSAT is taken on a computer or tablet in Bluebook, College Board’s digital testing application.
Students can use a variety of devices to take the digital PSAT, including laptops, iPads, and school-managed Chromebooks. Please refer to College Board’s website for the most up-to-date list of approved devices and system requirements.
Students should install Bluebook before test day. Installing the app early allows students to familiarize themselves with the testing interface and make sure the app works properly on their devices. They can download Bluebook on College Board’s website.
The day before the test, students should check to see if they have the most recent version and install updates if needed.
The Bluebook App has a built-in graphing calculator, but students may also bring their own approved calculator to use during the Math section.
When do students take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT at school in October. Some schools also let sophomores take the PSAT in October. However, sophomores won’t be considered for National Merit, and they won’t be able to take the PSAT10 in the spring if they took the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
Students should speak with their counselors about registration. Homeschooled students who wish to take the test should reach out to participating local schools as soon as possible to request a seat.
Schools can choose to offer the PSAT on any school day within the testing window. They also have the option of administering the test on a Saturday in October. While schools can test different groups of students on different days, students may only take the PSAT once during the testing window.
This year, the testing window is October 1 through October 31, 2024. There are two Saturday dates this year—October 12 and October 26, 2024—in order to accommodate Yom Kippur.
What do schools need to know about setting up for the PSAT?
Schools should ensure that their testing rooms have a strong internet connection, outlets or power strips (though students do need to bring devices that can hold a charge), and proper seating. Rooms should be quiet with good lighting and ventilation. They must also have a clock that’s visible to all students, as well as a place to write or display Wi-Fi login information. Schools should refer to College Board’s guidelines for testing rooms and seating arrangements.
Testing Room Checklist
- Quiet room with good lighting and ventilation
- Close to restrooms and the help room for technical support
- Working clock that all students can see
- Strong internet connection
- A place to write or display the Wi-Fi credentials
- Outlets or power strips
- Devices should hold a charge for 3-4 hours
- Be fair with granting access to power sources
- Be safe – don’t overload circuits
- Note: outlets are required for students who receive more than 3 hours of testing time
Seating Requirements
- All chairs must have backs
- Each student must have a large, smooth writing surface (minimum of 12 inches x 15 inches), such as a desk or a table
- All students must face the same direction
- If you have tables that seat multiple students:
- The tables must be at least 6 feet long
- There must be at least 3 feet betweens students
- Students can’t easily see others’ screens
- Partitions are only allowed if testing is in a computer lab
What do students need to bring to the PSAT?
Unless the school is supplying computers, students should bring a fully-charged approved device with the Bluebook application already installed, as well as a charger. Scratch paper will be supplied by the school, but students should bring their own pens or pencils. Students may also bring an approved calculator, an external mouse, a watch (without an alarm), and a snack for the break. Students who are taking the test on a tablet can also bring an external keyboard.
Student Checklist
- Fully-charged approved device with the Bluebook testing application installed
- Charger and extension cord
- Pencils or pens (school will supply scratch paper)
- Approved calculator (optional)
- Extra batteries (optional)
- Note: batteries cannot be stored where students are testing
- Extra batteries (optional)
- External mouse (optional)
- External keyboard (optional)
- Note: external keyboard is for students using tablets only
- Watch without an audible alarm (optional)
- Backup device (optional)
- Note: backup device cannot be stored where students are testing
- Snacks and a drink (optional)
- Note: snacks and drinks can only be accessed during the break
- EpiPens and approved medications and medical devices (if applicable)
- An approved photo ID (only if you’re homeschooled or testing at a different school)
How is the digital PSAT Scored?
The PSAT/NMSQT is scored on a 1520-point scale. Students receive a score between 160 and 760 for each section. The two section scores are added together for a total score between 320 and 1520.
The SAT suite of assessments (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT) are scaled vertically. In theory, a student who took the PSAT and the SAT on the same day would get the same score on both tests. In other words, an 1180 on the PSAT/NMSQT indicates the same skill level as an 1180 on the SAT. This vertical scaling provides consistency that lets students measure their progress over time.
Here are the score ranges for tests in the digital SAT suite:
- PSAT 8/9: 240–1440
- PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT: 320–1520
- SAT: 400–1600
What is the National Merit Selection Index Score?
On their score reports, students will see if they have met the entry requirements for the National Merit Scholarship program. The National Merit Scholarship program can provide significant financial aid and merit scholarship opportunities for college.
Entrance is determined by the National Merit Selection Index Score, which is calculated by adding twice the Reading and Writing Section score to the Math Section score and then dividing the sum by 10.
![National Merit Selection Index Score = [(Reading and Writing score x 2) + Math score] / 10](https://assets.testinnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-Merit-Selection-Index-1024x104.png)
About 50,000 students qualify for recognition each year. Ultimately about 15,000 students will move on to be National Merit Finalists. Finalists receive a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Becoming a finalist also opens the door to other scholarship opportunities.
For more information, including details on qualification and specific scholarship opportunities, please visit the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s website.
How does scoring work on the digital PSAT?
Scoring is a lot more complicated on an adaptive test than it is on a traditional (linear) test. On the old paper PSAT, a student’s score depended on how many questions they answered correctly. On the digital PSAT, a student’s score depends not only on how many questions they answer correctly, but also on which questions they answer correctly. Not all questions on the PSAT are weighted equally.
How does this work? Without getting too much into the weeds, the digital PSAT relies on Item Response Theory (IRT), a framework for analyzing and modeling the relationship between an individual’s ability level and their performance on a test question. IRT assumes that the probability of correctly answering a given question is a function of the ability level of the test taker and the characteristics (such as the difficulty level) of the question.
In practical terms, that means that not all questions carry the same weight. Getting a hard question right will increase a students’ score more than getting a similar easy question right. For more information, see College Board’s explanation of how the section scores are calculated on the digital PSAT.
At first glance, it might seem like the adaptive test design unfairly punishes students who do well on Module 1 by giving them harder questions in Module 2. However, there is a big advantage to unlocking the harder second module. Students who perform well enough on Module 1 to take the harder Module 2 have the opportunity to answer more difficult questions. Because these harder questions are worth more, students in the harder Module 2 have a higher potential score.
For an in-depth discussion of scoring adaptive tests, listen to “How the Digital SAT is Scored,” featuring Test Innovators’ President, Brenna O’Neill, on Test and the Rest Podcast.
What’s on the PSAT Reading and Writing Section?
The entire Reading and Writing section is 64 minutes long and contains 54 multiple-choice questions. The section is split into two modules, which are each 32 minutes long with 27 questions.
Each question has its own short passage or pair of passages. That’s right — students no longer have long reading passages with 10+ questions per passage. The passages are between 25 to 150 words and cover a wide range of topics.
Students can see passages about anything from biology to history to anthropology to literature. Poetry may even make an appearance. Some passages include informational tables and graphs.
The following question types appear on each module of the Reading and Writing section:
- Craft and structure (~ 28% of the section):
- Words in context
- Check out 200+ words to know!
- Text structure and purpose
- Cross-text connections
- Words in context
- Information and ideas ( ~ 26% of the section):
- Central ideas and details
- Command of evidence
- Textual
- Quantitative
- Inferences
- Standard English conventions: ~26% of the section
- Boundaries
- Form, structure, and sense
- Expression of ideas (~20% of the section)
- Transitions
- Rhetorical synthesis
Each module is organized by question type, so that questions testing similar skills will appear consecutively. In other words, students will start each module with words in context questions, then move onto text structure and purpose questions, then complete cross-text connections questions, and so on.
What’s on the PSAT Math Section?
The entire Math section is 70 minutes long and contains 44 questions. Just like the Reading and Writing section, it is split into two modules, which are each 35 minutes long with 22 questions.
75% of the questions are multiple choice and 25% of the questions require student-produced responses.
The digital PSAT Math section covers four broad content domains: (1) algebra, (2) advanced math, (3) problem solving and data analysis, and (4) geometry and trigonometry. Questions from each content domain appear in both modules.
The content domains are broken down into the following testing points:
- Algebra (~ 35% of the section):
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear equations in two variables
- Linear functions
- Systems of two linear equations in two variables
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
- Advanced math ( ~ 32.5% of the section)
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
- Nonlinear functions
- Problem solving and data analysis (~ 20% of the section)
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
- Percentages
- One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
- Two-variable data: models and scatter plots
- Probability and conditional probability
- Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
- Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
- Geometry and trigonometry (~ 12.5% of the section)
- Area and volume
- Lines, angles, and triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry
- Circles
Unlike the Reading and Writing modules (which are organized by question type), the Math modules are organized by question difficulty. Easier questions will appear at the beginning of the module and harder questions will appear at the end.
Students can use a calculator on the entire Math section. The Bluebook App has the Desmos graphing calculator built-in, but students may also bring their own approved calculators. Please refer to College Board’s website for a list of approved calculators for the digital PSAT.
Should students prepare for the PSAT?
Many students take the PSAT as the first step in their SAT preparation. While the PSAT is indeed excellent practice for the SAT, it is a good idea for students to spend some time practicing for the PSAT, especially those aiming for national merit.
The digital PSAT will likely be most students’ first time taking a computer adaptive test, so it’s helpful to know what to expect. At the very least, students should familiarize themselves with the testing interface and question types before the test. It’s a good idea to take at least one full-length practice test before the PSAT.
Bluebook has two PSAT/NMSQT practice tests. For students who would like more materials, Test Innovators has a full-length, adaptive PSAT practice and 10 full-length, adaptive SAT practice tests, as well as 1,400+ additional practice questions.
The PSAT and SAT are very similar tests, so it’s totally fine to use SAT materials to prepare for the PSAT. We recommend that students think of the PSAT practice as part of their overall SAT preparation.
What’s the best way to practice for the PSAT (and the SAT)?
Taking standardized tests like PSAT and SAT is a skill that can be developed with the right kind of practice. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of students prepare for tests, and we know that significant growth is possible.
So how do you practice for the PSAT and SAT? Follow these steps:
- Take a full-length practice test. Taking a full-length practice test is the best way to get to know the test and see what you need to work on.
- Review your results. Go through the practice test and revisit any questions that gave you trouble. Look for trends and make note of what you need to work on.
- Do targeted practice. Focus on the areas of weakness you identified in step 2. Review concepts as needed, and complete additional practice questions.
- Repeat! Repeat these steps until test day.
To learn more about preparing for standardized tests, check out our guest post on Scoir’s blog, The Most Effective Way to Prepare for the ACT, SAT, and PSAT.
Students
Sara Laszlo
Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring and test preparation, with a special focus on helping students prepare for the SAT and ACT. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.
Originally published on September 7, 2023. Updated on August 26, 2024.
